“Out-of-Pocket Home Nursing Care Guidelines” Established and Certification System Launched Based on METI Guidelines; Industry's First Official Training Session to Be Held on April 16th
The General Incorporated Association Home Nursing Care Support Association and the Japan Male Nurses Association have established "Out-of-Pocket Home Nursing Care Guidelines" and launched a certification system based on METI's directives. This initiative aims to address the lack of clear standards and quality management in out-of-pocket home nursing services, ensuring transparency and reliability for users and providers. The certification involves management assessment and training, with the first official training session scheduled for April 16th.
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The General Incorporated Association Home Nursing Care Support Association (Representative Director: Kei Takamaru) and the General Incorporated Association Japan Male Nurses Association (Representative Director: Kosuke Tsubota, hereinafter "the Association") have formulated the "Out-of-Pocket Home Nursing Care Guidelines" based on the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's (METI) "Guidelines for Healthcare Services." Concurrently, a certification system based on these guidelines will be launched.
■ What is Out-of-Pocket Home Nursing Care?
Home nursing care includes "in-pocket" services covered by long-term care insurance and medical insurance, and "out-of-pocket" services that fall outside these systems. In-pocket services have restrictions on frequency, time, and content. Out-of-pocket home nursing care fills the "gaps" not covered by these systems.
Specifically, it includes services such as:
Ceremonial/Outing accompaniment: Support related to "purpose in life," such as attending a daughter's wedding or accompanying a grandchild to a sports day.
Supplemental rehabilitation: Rehabilitation aimed at functional recovery with a frequency and content exceeding the limits of long-term care insurance.
End-of-life/Palliative care support: Time-intensive palliative care in accordance with the wishes of the individual and family.
And more.
Guidelines:https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/mono_info_service/healthcare/houmonnkanngo.pdf
Out-of-pocket services are fully self-funded but can flexibly respond to user needs.
■ Background: Two Challenges Surrounding Out-of-Pocket Home Nursing Care
While the movement of home nursing care stations providing out-of-pocket services is expanding, serious issues are arising on the ground.
1. Complication of guidance regarding record-keeping and operation
Since out-of-pocket home nursing care is not covered by long-term care insurance or medical insurance, the standards for handling it have remained unclear. By having unified industry guidelines, this structural problem will be resolved.
2. Absence of service quality management
Currently, there are no common standards to ensure the quality of out-of-pocket home nursing care services. To create an environment where users can choose services with peace of mind, the industry itself needs to establish quality standards and a mechanism to make them visible.
In formulating these guidelines, we proceeded after consulting with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's Medical Affairs Bureau Nursing Service Promotion Office, Home Nursing Care Promotion Office, and the Health and Welfare Bureau's Elderly Health Division, among others.
■ Outline of the Guidelines
These guidelines are industry guidelines compliant with METI's "Guidelines for Healthcare Services." Their purpose is to establish standards for compliance, record-keeping, and operational requirements for stations providing out-of-pocket home nursing care services, thereby creating a transparent environment for users, businesses, and administration.
■ Certification System Mechanism
Certification can be obtained by fulfilling two main requirements: ① management certification and ② training completion. This certification proves the provision of high-quality services and stable business operations.
1. About Management Certification
Management certification is essential to confirm that a strong management foundation is in place to appropriately respond to unexpected problems or troubles, especially when providing out-of-pocket home nursing care services. Specifically, it requires demonstrating this system through the following initiatives:
By formulating and implementing early management improvement plans, transparency in management and a willingness to improve are demonstrated. This serves as an important indicator for confirming financial stability to enhance business sustainability and prepare for contingencies.
This management certification also serves as a public testament of trust from METI, creating an environment where users can safely utilize out-of-pocket services.
2. About Training Completion
Training teaches practical knowledge for "properly separating and managing" in-pocket and out-of-pocket services.
Why is separate management necessary?
Stations with ambiguous management of in-pocket and out-of-pocket services risk being cited for "improper billing" or "inappropriate operation" during on-site inspections by regional health and welfare bureaus. Clear distinction is necessary in all processes: time management, record-keeping, billing, and collection of usage fees.
What you will learn in the training
The training explains specific operational methods for managing in-pocket and out-of-pocket services separately, and the content of the latest guidelines.
Flow of Certification Acquisition
Training completion → Checklist submission → Training completion requirement cleared
The submission of the checklist serves as proof that the necessary knowledge and operational system are in place.
Benefits of Certification Acquisition
Stations that acquire certification are more likely to be chosen by users as "reliable service providers." This leads to clear differentiation from other stations in the expanding out-of-pocket service market.
First Practical Training Session for "Out-of-Pocket Home Nursing Care Guidelines" Certification Acquisition
■ Comment from Kosuke Tsubota, Representative Director of the Japan Male Nurses Association
Out-of-pocket home nursing care is an important option for local residents to receive the necessary care as needed. However, expanding it without a mechanism to protect its quality will lead to unfortunate results for both users and businesses. The formulation of these guidelines and the launch of the certification system are a declaration of the industry's will to create and adhere to its own rules. As the first certified educational program provider, our association will deliver high-quality training to stations nationwide.
■ Comment from Masashi Iwanaga, Executive Officer of the Japan Male Nurses Association
Originally, nursing, including home nursing care, should always be tailored to individual needs, but precisely because public insurance applies, there are areas that cannot be intervened in. However, with the deepening of the community-based integrated care system, we feel that an environment is needed where users can utilize nursing services more freely and with greater peace of mind, beyond these restrictions. Based on the philosophy of "Nursing for Nurses," our association will strive to create such an environment as the first certified educational program provider.
■ Comment from Kei Takamaru, Representative Director of the General Incorporated Association Home Nursing Care Support Association
The two major challenges faced by out-of-pocket services, namely "complication of guidance due to unclear standards" and "absence of common quality standards," have long hindered the healthy development of the industry. As a player in out-of-pocket home nursing care for nearly 20 years, I have personally experienced these structural problems. The formulation of these guidelines based on METI's directives and the launch of the certification system are extremely important steps in increasing overall industry transparency and creating an environment where users can choose services with peace of mind. I am confident that this system will be the foundation for the sustainable and healthy development of out-of-pocket home nursing care.
■ From FY2026, Home Nursing Care Support will be Further Strengthened
From FY22026, our association will further strengthen its support activities for home nursing care providers. With guideline development, certification system, on-site education, and policy recommendations as its four pillars, it will support the sustainable development of home nursing care, regardless of whether it is covered by insurance or not.
■ Japan Male Nurses Association and Nursing DX Award
In addition to system development through guideline formulation, our association hosts the "Nursing DX Award," which evaluates innovation in the field. At the first award ceremony held at Tokyo Big Sight in 2025, Inoshia Co., Ltd., a Mitsui & Co. Group company, received the Grand Prize, bringing together projects that lead the industry. From both "quality assurance" through these guidelines and "technological innovation" through the award, we will promote the improvement of the social status of nursing and the construction of next-generation infrastructure.
Nursing DX Award 2026 Application:https://forms.gle/PNnv24wsSWwp1z7J8
■ Members Wanted
The Japan Male Nurses Association welcomes all nursing professionals and those involved in medical and long-term care to join. We are looking for colleagues who will work together to support the field of home nursing care and create the future of nursing.
▼ Join and learn more here:https://gkb.jp/s/jmns/application
■ General Incorporated Association Japan Male Nurses Association Overview
Established: September 8, 2014
Representative Director: Kosuke Tsubota (Nurse, Policy Secretary to a Member of Parliament)
Business Activities: Nursing DX, Patient Harassment Countermeasures, Home Nursing Care Support, Industrial Nurses, Midwife Support, etc.
Email: info@nursemen.net
【Contact for this matter】 General Incorporated Association Japan Male Nurses Association
Public Relations Department Email: info@nursemen.net URL:https://nursemen.net
FAQ
What is the significance of the April 16th date for the Home Nursing Care Support Association's certification program?
April 16th marks the industry's first official training session for the 'Out-of-Pocket Home Nursing Care Guidelines' certification.
Which organization launched the Out-of-Pocket Home Nursing Care Guidelines in collaboration with the Japan Male Nurses Association?
The General Incorporated Association Home Nursing Care Support Association established the guidelines with the Japan Male Nurses Association.
How does METI influence the new certification system for out-of-pocket home nursing care services?
METI's directives provided the foundation for creating the certification system and guidelines for home nursing care services.
What specific component is required for certification under the Out-of-Pocket Home Nursing Care Guidelines launched by the two associations?
Certification requires both management assessment and completion of designated training sessions by the associations.
Why were the Out-of-Pocket Home Nursing Care Guidelines created by the Japan Male Nurses Association and its partner?
The guidelines were created to ensure transparency, quality management, and reliability in out-of-pocket home nursing services.